What Does Transgender Mean Anyway?

You may think that “transgender” is just one identity, just meaning that the person was born in the wrong body and will be getting a sex change, or has gotten a sex change. That is actually what “transsexual” means. “Transgender” is actually the umbrella term, encompassing everyone who does not fit into the societal gender “norms”. Their gender identity, expression, or behavior does not match up with the identity, expression or behaviors typically associated with that person’s assigned birth sex. Granted, “transgender”, or “trans”, as it is typically shortened to, is usually a good term to use, however not everyone who differs from the gender “norms” will identify as transgender. Some people just like to express themselves in a way that would appear that they are different. This behavior can be noticed in everyone at times, but a lot of the time can be noticed in effeminate men and butch women.  They may just wish to dress this way; they may not be transgender.

Some identities that are under this transgender umbrella are as follows, although these people may not identify as transgender themselves.

-          Agender

-          Androgyn

-          Bigender

-          Boi

-          Butch woman

-          Drag king

-          Drag queen

-          Effeminate man

-          FAAB (female assigned at birth)

-          Female gay man

-          FtA

-          FtM / trans man

-          Gender non-conforming

-          Gender-bender

-          Gender-fluid

-          Genderqueer

-          Gurl

-          Intersexed

-          MAAB (male assigned at birth)

-          Male lesbian

-          MtA

-          MtF / trans woman

-          Pangender

-          Queer

-          Third gender

-          Transfeminine

-          Transmasculine

-          Transsexual

-          Tri-gendered

-          Two-spirit

And so many more.

If you identify with any of these terms you could be transgender. Or you could be trans and not identify with any of these terms. Whatever you want to do, I do not advocate pushing labels on yourself or anyone.